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Weekly Dvar Torah

FROM ERETZ YISRAEL Being Chosen

BY RABBI MENACHEM LEIBTAG

Yichus (family lineage) has always been an important consideration when selecting one’s spouse. Nevertheless, Avraham’s insistence that his ‘chosen’ son specifically marry a descendant of his brother Nachor requires explanation.

Each significant stage in Sefer Bereishit begins with the opening phrase “eileh toldot…” (or similar). These toldot (genealogies) serve as the ‘skeleton’ that helps form the structure of the entire Sefer. Within these toldot unfolds the story of G-d’s hashgacha (providence) over Creation and the history of mankind, most notably G-d’s choosing of Avraham Avinu to become the forefather of His special nation.

However, there are two very special sets of toldot that thematically divide Sefer Bereishit into two halves. Each ‘half’ begins with a detailed listing of “ten generations” – 5:1–32 (Adam to Noach) and 11:10–26 (Shem to Terach), respectively. This structural parallel extends beyond the similarity of the ten generations in each unit, for at the conclusion of each list – the final family, i.e. the families of Noach and Terach – bear remarkable resemblance to one another:

Toldot Adam concludes with Noach, after which we find toldot Noach, i.e. the story of his 3 sons, Shem, Cham and Yefet. (See 5:28–32; 6:9)

Toldot Shem concludes with Terach, after which we find toldot Terach, i.e. the story of his 3 sons Avram, Nachor and Haran. (See 11:24–26; 11:27)

Furthermore, the sons of both Noach and Terach receive either a blessing or curse:

Avraham, like Shem, is blessed with the privilege of representing G-d. Haran’s son, Lot, like Cham’s son Canaan, is cursed. Nachor’s offspring Rivka, Rachel and Leah return to ‘dwell within the tent’ of the children of Avraham, just as Yefet is destined to dwell within the ‘tent of Shem’.

For our purposes here, the parallel itself calls our attention to the significance of toldot Terach.

To our surprise, at the precise spot where we would expect to find a unit beginning with toldot Avraham, we find instead a unit that begins with toldot Terach. This alone already hints to the fact that there must be something special about Terach.

Avraham makes a point of selecting a daughter-in-law specifically from the family of his brother, Nachor, thus bringing the history of toldot Terach full circle. Apparently, all of Terach’s offspring have potential for bechira. Therefore, if Yitzchak is to be married, his wife should be chosen from the family in which this potential lies.

What was so special about Terach that he ‘deserves’ his own toldot? It is really hard to say, as the Torah tells us so little about him.

On the one hand, Sefer Yehoshua introduces Nachor as a card-carrying idolater (Yehoshua 24:2). Yet, as the end of Parshat Noach teaches us, Terach was the first person to recognize the spiritual importance of Eretz Canaan. He set out to ‘make Aliyah’ even before Hashem commanded Avraham to do so (see 11:31).

We may suggest, however, that Terach and his offspring may represent a different aspect of the bechira process – the potential to be chosen if worthy. Terach’s initiative in this regard may have granted the possibility of becoming part of the ‘chosen family’ to any of his offspring who prove themselves deserving of this distinction.

Avraham Avinu not only follows his father’s lead and continues to Eretz Canaan, but also faithfully follows G-d’s command throughout. He then becomes the progenitor of G-d’s special nation. Nachor, however, stays behind. Lot (Haran’s son) had the opportunity to remain with Avraham, but detaches himself by choosing the ‘good life’ in Kikar HaYarden. However, Nachor’s granddaughter, Rivka, and great-granddaughters, Rachel and Leah, prove themselves worthy of joining the distinctive nation, and work their way back into the family of Avraham.

Even though the bechira process may appear random and indiscriminate, the framework of toldot Terach may reflect the importance of personal commitment in earning that bechira.

For a longer version of this article, see www.tanach.org.

Rabbi Menachem Leibtag is an internationally acclaimed Tanach scholar and online Jewish education pioneer. He is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau (www. mizrachi.org/speakers).

Chayei Sarah Sidra Summary

“And afterwards Avraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah facing Mamre, which is Hebron” (Bereishit 23:19)

1ST ALIYA (KOHEN) – BEREISHIT 23:1-16

Sarah dies aged 127, in Kiryat Arba, also known as Hebron. After eulogising Sarah, Avraham negotiates with the head of the local Hittites, Efron, in order to purchase a burial plot for Sarah, Me’arat (Cave of) Hamachpela. They agree a price of 400 silver shekels. Point to Consider: In what way does the spelling of Efron’s name hint at his greed? (see Rashi to 23:15)

2ND ALIYA (LEVI) – 23:17-24:9

Avraham buries Sarah. Avraham asks his servant (understood to be) Eliezer to seek a wife for his son Yitzchak, making him take an oath only to select a girl from Avraham’s birth town, Charan, rather than from Cana’an. Avraham also insists that Yitzchak’s future bride must agree to leave her home to come to the Land of Cana’an (later Israel), rather than Yitzchak going to live in Charan.

3RD ALIYA (SHLISHI) – 24:10-26

Eliezer sets out on his journey, with ten camels and presents from Avraham. Towards the evening, Eliezer arrives at a well, close to his destination, where he rests the camels. He prays to G-d to show him a clear sign of the identity of Yitzchak’s future bride: the young lady who would offer water to Eliezer and his camels. As he finishes his prayer, Rivkah appears, with a jug on her shoulder, from which, after drawing water from the well, she gives Eliezer to drink. She then draws water for all of his camels to drink. Eliezer gives her jewellery and asks her who she is. Rivkah relates that she is the daughter of Betuel, Avraham’s nephew. She grants Eliezer his request for a place to sleep.

4TH ALIYA (REVI’I) – 24:27-52

to G-d. Rivkah runs home to tell her family what has happened. On seeing Eliezer’s gifts to Rivkah, her brother Lavan runs out to greet him and welcomes him in. Eliezer introduces himself and recounts the story of his journey. He asks permission to take Rivkah as a wife for Yitzchak. Lavan and Betuel agree.

5TH ALIYA (CHAMISHI) – 24:53-67

Eliezer gives more jewellery, as well as gold and silver vessels, to Rivkah. He gives her family delicious fruit (Rashi). They eat and drink together, and Eliezer stays overnight. The next morning, Lavan and his mother ask for Rivkah to stay with them longer before leaving. Eliezer is insistent and Rivkah agrees to go immediately. Rivkah meets Yitzchak in the Negev, where he brings her into his mother Sarah’s tent.

6TH ALIYA (SHISHI) – 25:1-11

Avraham marries Ketura, whom the Midrash identifies as Hagar. Their descendants are listed. Avraham dies, aged 175. He is buried by Yitzchak and Yishmael, also in Me’arat Hamachpela, next to Sarah.

7TH ALIYA (SHEVI’I) – 25:12-18

Yishmael’s descendants are listed. He dies, aged 137.

HAFTARAH

This section of the Book of Melachim (Kings) relates the attempt by Adoniyah, the older son of King David, to establish himself as David’s successor. Queen Batsheva and Natan the Prophet manage to foil this plot, by warning King David, who reasserts his younger son Shlomo’s (Solomon) right to succeed him.